S Bill 2772 School MEALS Act of 2023

Purpose and Summary

Chamber: Senate

Introduced date: 2023-09-12

School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2023 or the School MEALS Act of 2023

This bill establishes programs and revises requirements relating to direct certification processes for the National School Lunch Program. Direct certification allows schools to use data matching procedures to approve school meals without the need for applications for children who receive assistance under other programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture to provide grants and technical assistance for states and tribal organizations to improve their direct certification processes, including with respect to children who receive assistance under a food distribution program on Indian reservations.

The bill also expands the time frame for schools to elect and gather eligibility data for the Community Eligibility Provision that permits schools in high-poverty areas to serve free meals to all enrolled students without the need for applications.

Further, the bill specifies that a state subject to a continuous improvement plan (for not directly certifying at least 95% of children eligible for direct certification because they receive SNAP benefits) must implement the improvement measures within three years.

Recent Activity

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Alternative Names

School MEALS Act of 2023

School MEALS Act of 2023

School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2023

A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve direct certification, and for other purposes.

Associated Legislation

School MEALS Act of 2023

Policy Areas

Agriculture and Food

Potential Impact

Sponsors and Supporters

Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]

Cosponsors and Supporters

Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

Committees and Subcommittees

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Variations and Revisions

School MEALS Act of 2023

School MEALS Act of 2023

3/13/2024, 11:19 PM

School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2023 or the School MEALS Act of 2023

This bill establishes programs and revises requirements relating to direct certification processes for the Nationa...

Congress
118

Number
S - 2772

Introduced on
2023-09-12

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

9/12/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2023 or the School MEALS Act of 2023

This bill establishes programs and revises requirements relating to direct certification processes for the Nationa...

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve direct certification, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Agriculture and Food

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/5/2024

School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2023 or the School MEALS Act of 2023

This bill establishes programs and revises requirements relating to direct certification processes for the Nationa...


Latest Action9/12/2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.